Sen. Bob Hall

Maddy summarySB 2749 amends Texas Family Code to clarify that a parent or guardian does not commit child abuse or neglect by refusing to affirm a child's sexual orientation or gender identity, or by refusing to use the child's preferred name or pronouns. This bill directly affects parents, legal guardians, and caregivers responsible for a child's welfare. The key provision explicitly excludes these specific parental actions from the legal definitions of "abuse" and "neglect" under Chapter 261. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2649 directs Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to evaluate how Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Animal Health Commission manage Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer, comparing their efforts to other states and national standards. The college must then create a statewide CWD management plan based on these comparisons, which the two state agencies must implement. Texas A&M will monitor implementation and submit annual reports to the legislature and Sunset Commission before each session. The bill directly affects Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Animal Health Commission, as they are required to adopt and follow the statewide plan for managing CWD in the state’s deer population.

Maddy summarySB 2648 requires Texas deer breeders to identify breeder deer by March 31 each year using two methods: a visible ear tag and a USDA-approved electronic identification device with a 15-digit number starting with 840. The electronic device must be attached to the ear (as a button tag) or implanted (avoiding edible muscle), and breeders must enter the device number into a state database. The bill specifies that the electronic ID serves as valid identification for deer breeders, replacing traditional tags or tattoos when properly entered into the database before identification issues arise. This applies specifically to facilities operating under Texas Parks and Wildlife permits for breeding deer.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas vehicle registration and emissions inspection rules. It extends the emissions inspection period for qualifying vehicles from annual or biennial to three years, while adjusting fees to maintain the same revenue level as before. New passenger cars and light trucks meeting specific criteria (sold in Texas, never registered elsewhere, current or previous model year) will receive a 24-month registration period starting from their date of sale. These changes apply to vehicles registered under Transportation Code Section 502.0026 and affect new vehicle owners and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The bill maintains existing fee structures while modifying inspection frequency and registration timing.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 2650 requires state contractors and subcontractors to verify employee work authorization through the federal E-Verify program to qualify for state contracts. State agencies cannot award contracts to entities that fail to register with E-Verify or stop participating during the contract term. Contracts must include a certification statement confirming compliance, and non-compliance results in contract termination. This bill directly affects businesses seeking state contracts by mandating E-Verify participation as a condition of doing business with Texas government.

Maddy summarySB 2654 changes who owns deer in Texas. Currently, all deer are considered state property. The bill adds that a deer on land surrounded by a fence at least seven feet high (which can retain deer under normal conditions) becomes the personal property of the landowner. This means landowners with qualifying fences will own deer found on their property. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2651 regulates chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer by requiring testing at National Veterinary Services Laboratories and limiting movement restrictions to within 10 feet of infected deer enclosures. It establishes a pilot program to breed deer resistant to CWD, directly affecting deer breeder facilities and release sites. Key provisions include mandatory decontamination procedures after confirmed CWD cases and requirements for facility owners to certify compliance before movement restrictions are lifted. The bill also prohibits restrictions beyond the 10-foot zone and mandates verification that free-ranging deer populations aren't infected due to facility negligence. These changes aim to control CWD spread while enabling research into resistant deer breeding.

Maddy summarySB 119 requires food sellers in Texas to place a clear warning label on any food product containing "mRNA vaccine material" (defined as substances in mRNA vaccines that introduce genetic material to trigger immune response). It directly affects food manufacturers, retailers, and meat producers who handle livestock injected with mRNA vaccines. The bill mandates that labels must conspicuously state "contains mRNA vaccine material" for all such food items, including meat products derived from vaccinated livestock. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, after the Health and Human Services Commission adopts implementing rules.

Maddy summarySB 508 amends Texas election law to increase penalties for failure to properly handle precinct election records. It upgrades the offense under Section 65.014(e) from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor for officials who don't deliver required records on time. The bill also clarifies procedures for when records are delayed, allowing a district judge to order their "impoundment" (legal seizure) and supervise completion of the count. This directly affects election officials and precinct workers responsible for processing vote counts, with changes taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 333) adopted by the Texas Senate on March 27, 2025, to honor Gordon Robert Johnson, a longtime Austin resident and legal advisor with deep ties to Texas state government. The resolution recognizes his career as a lawyer, his service as political director for former House Speaker Joe Straus, his role in securing key legislation like the Texas Racing Act, and his family life. It does not create new laws or policies; it solely serves to memorialize Johnson following his death on March 16, 2025, and extend condolences to his family.